Drinking fountain



Jan- 8, 1946-. u. T. THCMPSON DRINKING FOUNTAIN Filed May 2. 1944 I15 fl INVENTOR. URBAN T- THOMPSON ATTORNE Y Patented Jan. 8, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DRINKING FOUNTAIN Urban T. Thompson, San Francisco, Calif.

Application May 2, 1944, Serial No. 533,764

1 Glaim.

This invention relates to drinking fountains and more particularly to drinking outlets attachable to conventional faucets.

Among the objects of the invention is to provide a drinking attachment to faucets that will not interfere with the normal functioning of the faucet.

Another object is to avoid the danger of the drinking attachment projecting water beyond the bowl or basin into which the faucet normally discharges.

A further object is to provide a drinking fountain that may be easily attached and detached from the faucet and is simple and compact and easily carried by the user.

Other objects and advantages will appear as the description proceeds.

In the specification and drawing the invention is disclosed in its preferred form. But it is to be understood that it is not limited to this form, because it may be embodied in modifications within the spirit of the invention as defined in the claim following the description.

In the one sheet of drawings:

Fig. l is a vertical section on the line l-l, Fig. 2, of a drinking fountain attachment con structed in accordance with this invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view from above of the same.

In detail the structure shown in Fig. 1, comprises the substantially conical body I, tapering at 2 to the outlet neck 3. The cylindrical portion I has the internal annular elastic gasket 4.

The side outlet 5 extends laterally from the body portion 2, and forms an elbow terminating flush with the top plane of the body.

The cover 6 has the flange 1 following the contour and enclosing the upper portion of the body I and the outlet 5, to which it is cemented or frictionally held by being forced thereover. It has the circular opening 8, exposing the gasket 4. The drinking tube 5 is preferabl formed. integrally with the cover 6, or it may be inserted therein.

The Whole structure is molded in plastics or any other suitable material and may be in contrasting colors. The body I may be red, the cover 6 sanitary white and the gasket 4 blue, for pleasing contrasts.

The invention operates substantially as follows: The gasket 4 is forced over and seals to the spout X. When the faucet handle Y is lifted to open the faucet, the water flows through the spout and downwardly through the outlet 3. The water flow is diverted to the drinking tube 5, by the operator placing his finger over the end of the outlet 3, closing it partially or wholly for regulating the volume of water through the tube 5. The finger acting as a valve.

If for sanitary reasons the use of the finger is undesirable, a nipple valve, such a length of rubber tubing l0 can be attached to the outlet 3 to be pinched between the fingers to regulate the flow through this outlet.

The vertical tube 5, is preferred because the water falling back washes the tube clean and is caught in the basin beneath the faucet. However the tube may be inclined if preferred.

Having thus described this invention and its mode of operation, what is claimed and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

A drinking fountain in the class described, com prising a body with a bottom outlet; a faucet engaging gasket in the upper portion of said body; a side outlet in said body and terminating flush with the top thereof; and a cover overlying the top of said body and open to said gasket; and a drinking tube on said cover alined with said side outlet.

URBAN T. THOMPSON. 

